held up towards rear and never on terms
hood removed late, started very slowly, behind and no chance after
raced keenly, made virtually all, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, kept on gamely
held up towards rear, headway between horses over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked winner for 1f, went 2nd again 4f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance until no extra final 100 yards
tracked leaders, headway between horses 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, stayed on same pace over 1f out
steadied start, took keen hold and held up towards rear, last and struggling 4f out, well beaten when hung badly left over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, switched right and kept on into 3rd final 100 yards
This is the time of year when RELIGHT MY FIRE came good last term and recent performances indicate his time is close again. Running a good second when seemingly unfancied on his penultimate start behind Sunraider, he was far from disgraced last time in a hot 6f York handicap when seventh of 18 behind Highland Acclaim. It's good to see him revert to his optimum 7f trip and there should be no excuses off an acceptable mark of 72. Real Tigress merits consideration but is perhaps a little high in the weights and the consistent Cara's Request may emerge as the main danger despite a 9lb rise after a 5l demolition of rivals at Musselburgh. Diamondhead should also give a solid account from the head of the handicap.
Diamondhead (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) Disputed lead, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Spellmaker (9-0) at Bath 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fm.
Flexible Flyer 4-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and bumped over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 9th of 17, 17l behind Eutropius (9-6) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May.
Repetition 4-1 (9-7) Chased leading pair on inside, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed final stride, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, hd behind Two Moons (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs.
Real Tigress (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Rein snapped soon after start, led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Lulu The Zulu (9-2) at Chester 1m flls hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Cara's Request (AUS) 5-2fav (8-12) Made all, soon clear, increased lead over 3f out, pushed out, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Hellbender (8-2) by 5l, 9 ran.
Snow Bay 28-1 (8-11) Slowly away, behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 13l behind Johnny Cavagin (9-5) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May.
Relight My Fire 16-1 (9-2) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 18, 7l behind Highland Acclaim (8-13) at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Smalljohn 5-2fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, soon led, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan beating Funky Cold Medina (9-5) by 1l, 9 ran.
Slim Chance (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) In touch, led after 2f, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 20l behind Dimitar (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Sep.
Icy Blue 7-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, not much room after 1f, driven over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 7l behind Zaitsev (9-6) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
